The Impact of Particle Size on the Dilute Acid Hydrolysis of Giant Reed Biomass
The Impact of Particle Size on the Dilute Acid Hydrolysis of Giant Reed Biomass
Authors
Authors
Date
2015-01-19
Datos de publicación:
10.7770/ejee-V2N1-art598
Keywords
Biomasa - Hemicelulosas - Catálisis heterogénea
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Abstract
Heterogeneous reaction systems, such as the
dilute acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass for the
recovery of hemicelluloses, are typically dependent of
particle size which is considered as one of the most important
variables that affect process yield and global production
costs.
In this work, the effect of feedstock particle size on
dilute acid hydrolysis is studied using Giant Reed (Arundo
donax), a Mediterranean energy crop with a high potential
for the production of bioenergy and added-value products,
as a model feedstock. Five different particle sizes (ranging
between < 0.25 to 4 mm) were studied using previously
optimized dilute hydrolysis conditions.
Both the hydrolysates and the residual solids were
chemically characterized. Hydrolysates always contained
more than 32 g/L of total sugars (from which 93% are
pentoses) and all the residual solids contained more than
50% glucan per dry weight of processed solids that
corresponds to complete recovery of glucan in the solid
phase. These results clearly show a selective hydrolysis of
the hemicellulose regardless of the particle size fractions
assayed. Actually, no statistically significant changes
between fractions were identified, which is a further advantage for this raw material, as it enables efficient
operation at higher particle size, positively affecting the
energy costs and its upgrade within the biorefinery
framework